How many times have you told yourself, “I forgot to tell them about this problem!” after leaving your doctor’s or therapist’s office? Did you know that you could greatly improve the quality of your treatment by simply preparing for it? Pretty much all you need to do is to write down a few things beforehand.

To maximize the results of your acupuncture treatments, here is what I recommend doing with each appointment.

For your first visit :

• Write down your medical history, the drugs and the natural products you are taking, your symptoms, what you think is the source of your problem and finally, your expectations.

Between each treatment :

• Keep a log of your symptoms and of any aggravating or attenuating element.
• Schedule only mild activities before and after the appointments.

Before your treatment :

• Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early in order to be calm enough to be fully receptive to the treatment.
• Take note of any change since your last visit (new drugs, test results or new treatments received).
• Do not show on an empty or full stomach. Avoid drinking coffee, alcohol or any other stimulant.
• To maximize the accuracy of your evaluation, do not brush your tongue nor eat any food that could colour it (candies, juice, coffee, etc.)

During the treatment :

• Use abdominal respiration and cardiac coherence.
• Visualize the perfect oasis in every detail (sea, forest, etc.). As soon as your mind wanders off and starts thinking about stressful aspects of your life, go back to this peaceful place.
• Should you experience any discomfort preventing you from fully benefiting from your treatment, simply use the provided buzzer. Pain will not increase the efficacy of the treatment.

After the treatment :

• • Keep your mind and your body as calm as possible.
  • Avoid any stressful/intense situation: physically demanding sport, thriller movie or TV series, conflicts, etc.
  • Drink a lot of water.
  • Note any effect experienced within the first 48 hours following your treatment.

Always be honest when talking about your life habits, your challenges and your feelings with your acupuncturist. This confidential information facilitates the analysis of your global health and your energy balance. Your acupuncturist will thus be able to provide you with the best care possible and to give you helpful advice.

Neither Chinese nor Western medicine believes in miracles. To maximize your chances of success, you need to follow the personal health practices and respect the frequency of treatments recommended by your acupuncturist.

You are investing both time and money into your health and well-being; make them count.

Please help us better help you!

Written by Nancy Mongrain, Ac. March 11 2018.

With the precious collaboration of Hélène Pouliot, Ac.

Both Members of the Ordre des Acupuncteurs du Québec